Kirkpatrick Hill

Bo at Ballard Creek

Childrens literature



Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill and illustrated by LeUyen Pham Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First edition Ebook edition (June 18, 2013) Pages CM

This book captivates a historical relevant place in Alaskan History. Transforming the modern reader back in time to a place where the Alaska Native People still lived in Sod homes and log cabins and the big hunt for gold was happening. The main characters are BO and her best friend Oscar and her two Fathers Arvid and Jack who raised her from a few weeks old. The fathers fell victim to the love and affection of a baby that was supposed to be put in an orphanage. This enduring tail describes the life as a child growing up in what would be a dyeing mining town. Learning both Alaskan Native language and English you will experience her adventures through her eyes as it seems to be told from a 3rd person perspective. With many daring twists and turns, from finding a lost boy to an encounter with the Bear and many other thrills of a five-year-old out exploring the vast world of Ballard Creek.

Plot living through the eyes of a 5 year old in the last frontier
Characters Bo, Oscar, Arvid, and Jack
Setting is in gold mining town in Alaska during the 1920s
Theme historical adventure
Style is 3rd person narrative through the eyes of a 5 year old
Tone enduring and adventuring
Point of view little girl growing up in a mining town
Illistartions look like they are water color
This was story kept me wanting more of Bos adventures to see what other kinds of things she might experience and explore as she grows.… (más)

The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and are the reason I picked this book up in the first place. It's too bad the text wasn't as wonderful as the pictures!

This is supposedly geared for kids aged 8-12, but I didn't feel the content was appropriate. I had to edit a lot of this book while reading it out loud to my nieces.

There is quite a bit of profanity (something that I don't like even in adult reads, but is completely unacceptable in a children's book). There are references to "good time girls," cannibalism, and a paragraph stating how much the children liked to look at National Geographic magazines to see the photos of naked people. (Why include this...?)

There is also an underlying anti-Christian theme. In addition to the evolution references and the instances of God's name taken in vain (which aren't terribly uncommon in any book), at one point a character says, "If there's a heaven, which I doubt..." (p.153) And when the school is described, it's contrasted with a Christian school and the author states, "At the mission school, they had learned nothing but the catechism and Bible verses, which they didn't think were very useful." (p. 186)

The book had no plot, but was written more "memoir" style - each chapter was a little story of what happens in Ballard Creek and descriptions of the people who lived there. Normally, I like this kind of book, but I think that they need to have a strong theme that connects the stories, and this book lacked that.… (más)

Bo at Ballard Creek is a sentimental story about a young girl named Bo, her father’s, and their life in a mining camp in Alaska. The story details the life of a miner in Alaska in the 1920s, it’s hardships, but more importantly the community of the village, their connections with each other and their roles in the camp. Bo learns about mining, cooking, sewing, and survival while building relationships with other villagers. The book is straightforward and easy to read and is written in short episodic chapters that leaves the reader feeling like each chapter is a short story, a glimpse of an important memory for Bo. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it would be an excellent steppingstone into Alaskan history, culture and people for young readers.
Alaska connections: Village life, Alaskan history and the goldrush, the science and history of flight and it’s impact on Alaskan life, cultural values about family.
Activity: Learn about the goldrush, how it changed Alaska, and the process of mining gold. Discuss the importance of family and community with an emphasis on the meaning of family, how families can be different, and all families are valid. Learn about and practice some of the ways of life in the mining days such as baking, sewing and survival skills. Take the students outdoors to try their hand at mining.… (más)